Spy victim of 'schoolboy antics'

Cpl Mates' allegations date back to September 1995

A spy alleging sexual discrimination was the victim of "schoolboy" antics to relieve the monotony of a course, an employment tribunal has been told.

Cpl Leah Mates, of Calne, Wiltshire, is claiming £686,000 for 43 allegations, which the Ministry of Defence contests.

Cpl Mick Wall, 33, told the Southampton tribunal Cpl Mates received a sexually suggestive note but was not bullied.

He said: "There were people who had served 10-odd years on that course who were acting like schoolkids at times."

Cpl Wall added: "To look at it now I would say they were trying to relieve the monotony. It was a very monotonous, boring course, it was like Groundhog Day. "

'Suggestive note'

Cpl Wall and Cpl Mates were on a class one upgrading course between January and April 2001 at Blandford Camp, in Dorset.

I wouldn't say they were victimising Leah. They weren't bullying her Cpl Mick Wall

The tribunal was read a note which was left in Cpl Mates' textbook.

It began: "Leah, I can't stop thinking about you every night at West Moors [the barracks]" and went on to express sexual desires.

Cpl Wall said Cpl Mates appeared upset at what he had assumed had been a note.

He said: "She got all quiet, she obviously reacted to it. I knew there had been something written in her book."

Cpl Wall said: "I would say there was a lot of heated exchange of words not only from them to Leah but back from her in retaliation but I wouldn't say they were victimising Leah. They weren't bullying her."

Cling film

He added that Cpl Mates - who was the only woman on the course - had complained about cling film being placed over the toilet bowl in the female toilets.

Corporal Adrian Hosking also told the tribunal Cpl Mates had talked to him about the cling film, but he added: "She didn't appear upset by this."

I must admit that Leah gave as good as she got on more than one occasion Cpl Wilson

He said Cpl Mates was unpopular with some of her colleagues because she worked hard: "They thought she was a swot."

Cpl Scott Wilson, 29, said he had not being aware she had been upset during the course.

"I heard people arguing but I have been on quite a few courses and I can't think of one when someone didn't have an argument with someone else," he said.

"I must admit that Leah gave as good as she got on more than one occasion."

Cpl Mates' allegations date back to when she joined the Army in September 1995.

But the majority of her complaints relate to her time in the Signal Regiment of the Army's 3 Division, which she joined in April 1997.

Allegations relating to her time with Special Forces in Northern Ireland will be heard in secret at the end of the case.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.